Switzerland v England: Fabio Capello to make late decision on Wayne Rooney's suitability

Fabio Capello will closely monitor Wayne Rooney's state-of-mind up until
kick-off on Tuesday night against Switzerland in the Euro 2012 qualifier to
ensure the striker is in the right psychological condition to play football
following the allegations about his private life.

Ready or not: Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney will be allowed to withdraw from the England squad for the match against Switzerland if he does not feel up to itPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Rooney remained with the England camp on Sunday and left for Basle with the rest of the squad this morning [Monday].

However there were acknowledgements last night that if the 24 year-old felt he had to pull out of the match, and return home, then he would be allowed to do so.

Rooney trained on Sunday morning after stories about him appeared in two newspapers.

This prompted suggestions he might withdraw from the squad, which were quickly denied by the FA, although it’s understood the situation is under constant review. The England management have also spoken to Rooney.

The fact the claims have been made while Rooney is on international duty and away from home have made matters more complicated for the player, who will be granted compassionate leave if he asks for it and Capello decides he is not fit to play.

Rooney met up with the squad last Monday and is not due to return to Manchester until the early hours of Wednesday morning after Tuesday’s match.

If he does not play it will be a severe blow to England, especially after the Manchester United forward appeared to be rediscovering his form, as he helped to create all four goals in the victory over Bulgaria on Friday which opened England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.

Although Rooney took a full part in England training yesterday morning, at Arsenal’s London Colney complex, he is believed to have seemed subdued.

According to sources he was not himself and there is understood to have already been a dialogue between the player and Capello as to whether he should travel to Switzerland.

For now, Rooney has decided to stay and the strong likelihood is that he will travel to Switzerland, but that may well depend on the reaction of his wife, Coleen, to the allegations he faces.

At the same time if Rooney is, for example, unable to sleep and is deemed mentally as well as physically exhausted then it may be in England’s, as well as his interests, if he does not play.

Rooney’s status within the team means that Capello, who regards him as England’s 'special player’ and has endeavoured to get the best out of him throughout his time as manager, will take an even greater interest in how the striker is.

After the victory over Bulgaria, Capello said: “Rooney is a fantastic player. He can score goals. He can make passes. He is always important but he can improve more. He created the goals.’’

On Sunday an FA spokesman said: “He has trained today. It is business as usual.”

But there will be some degree of consternation at the FA over allegations that, it will be argued, have damaged football’s image.

There is also likely to be a debate as to whether or not concern over his private life may have affected Rooney’s performances in the World Cup, where he appeared out-of-sorts in all of England’s matches.

What we do know is that Rooney was struggling for fitness at the World Cup following the ankle injury he suffered in March which led to a five-month goal drought and a collapse in form.

Certainly Rooney cut an unhappy figure in South Africa, although the allegations in Sunday’s newspapers have, it is understood, only recently come to light even though the alleged event — a relationship with a prostitute – is claimed to have happened last year.

It is the latest in a number of distractions and problems which have beset the England squad.

Capello will examine DVDs of Switzerland’s last three matches before deciding his team for tomorrow’s match. There will be one enforced change with Michael Dawson ruled out for up to eight weeks after he suffered knee and ankle injuries against Bulgaria.

Capello is likely to start with Gary Cahill, who replaced Dawson in the Bulgaria match at Wembley, as Phil Jagielka’s central defensive partner, although he does also have the option of using Matthew Upson or Joleon Lescott.

England will also travel without third-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson, who will attend a family funeral tomorrow, with Scott Loach taking his place.

Although Capello’s 4-4-1-1 formation that employed Rooney behind Defoe was a success against Bulgaria, it is possible that the England manager may alter his approach against the defensive Swiss.

However, the likelihood is that he will stick with a similar attacking approach.

If Rooney were to withdraw, and following Peter Crouch’s back injury, it would leave England with Carlton Cole and Darren Bent as back-up strikers.